Osprey Reef
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Why dive in Osprey Reef?
BEST SEASON
Featured Animals 8
- Unlikely
- Likely
- Very likely
Variable Frequent sightingsGiant Trevally
Caranx ignobilis
The giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis) is a large, powerful predatory fish found throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region. Known for its steep head profile and robust body, it can reach up to 170 cm in length and 80 kg in weight. This apex predator feeds primarily on fish, but also consumes crustaceans and cephalopods, often hunting in solitary or small groups, though juveniles form schools.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsGrey Reef Shark
Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos
The Grey Reef Shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) is a medium to large-sized requiem shark, common in Indo-Pacific coral reefs and adjacent waters. Characterized by its grey body and a distinctive broad black band on the trailing edge of its caudal fin, it is a fast and agile predator. These sharks are known for their social daytime aggregations, which disperse at night for individual hunting.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsHumphead Wrasse
Cheilinus undulatus
The Humphead Wrasse is one of the largest reef fish, identifiable by a prominent hump on its forehead and thick fleshy lips. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning individuals are born female and some transition to males later in life. This carnivorous species plays a crucial role in coral reef ecosystems by preying on hard-shelled invertebrates and toxic animals like the crown-of-thorns starfish.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsPotato Grouper
Epinephelus tukula
The Potato Grouper is a large fish known for its spotted appearance, resembling the surface of a potato. It primarily inhabits coral reefs and is a solitary carnivore. Potato Groupers can grow to be quite large, reaching up to 2 meters in length and weighing over 100 kg.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsSilvertip Shark
Carcharhinus albimarginatus
The Silvertip Shark is a large, streamlined requiem shark identifiable by the prominent white tips and trailing margins on all its fins. It is an aggressive apex predator, often dominating other sharks during feeding, and can be found in various tropical Indo-Pacific marine habitats from the surface to considerable depths. While often solitary or in pairs, it can also form small groups or mixed-species aggregations and exhibits variable activity patterns throughout the day and night.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsTiger Shark
Galeocerdo cuvier
The tiger shark is a large apex predator recognized by the dark vertical stripes along its body, especially visible in juveniles. It inhabits tropical and subtropical waters and has a highly varied diet, feeding on fish, rays, turtles, seabirds, and other marine animals.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsWhale Shark
Rhincodon typus
The whale shark is the largest fish in the world and a gentle filter feeder.
BEST SEASON
Nocturnal Frequent sightingsWhitetip Reef Shark
Triaenodon obesus
The Whitetip Reef Shark is a slender, medium-sized shark easily identified by the distinctive white tips on its dorsal and upper caudal fins. Primarily nocturnal, it spends its days resting in caves and under ledges on coral reefs and hunts at night for bony fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods. These sharks are generally social, often found in groups during the day, but can hunt individually or cooperatively.
BEST SEASON
More marine life 34
Bigeye TrevallyCaranx sexfasciatus
Blue-Ringed OctopusHapalochlaena spp.
Bluering AngelfishPomacanthus annularis
Bluespotted CornetfishFistularia commersonii
Bumphead ParrotfishBolbometopon muricatum
Clark's AnemonefishAmphiprion clarkii
Emperor AngelfishPomacanthus imperator
Garden EelHeterocongrinae
Giant MorayGymnothorax javanicus
Giant Oceanic Manta RayMobula birostris
Glider FlyingfishCheilopogon atrisignis
Golden SpadefishPlatax boersii
Great BarracudaSphyraena barracuda
Green Sea TurtleChelonia mydas
LionfishPterois spp.
Live SharksuckerEcheneis naucrates
Moorish IdolZanclus cornutus
Ocellaris ClownfishAmphiprion ocellaris
Ocellated Eagle RayAetobatus ocellatus
Orange-lined TriggerfishBalistapus undulatus
Oriental SweetlipsPlectorhinchus vittatus
Painted Spiny LobsterPanulirus versicolor
Palette SurgeonfishParacanthurus hepatus
Pennant CoralfishHeniochus acuminatus
Purple Queen AnthiasPseudanthias tuka
Spot-fin PorcupinefishDiodon hystrix
Spotted Eagle RayAetobatus narinari
Tawny Nurse SharkNebrius ferrugineus
Threadfin ButterflyfishChaetodon auriga
Titan TriggerfishBalistoides viridescens
Yellow BoxfishOstracion cubicus
Yellow Longnose ButterflyfishForcipiger flavissimus
Yellowfin TunaThunnus albacares
Zebra SharkStegostoma tigrinum
Where is Osprey Reef
Coral Sea · Australia
Frequently asked questions about Osprey Reef
When is the best time to dive in Osprey Reef?
The best time to dive in Osprey Reef is from April to November. In those months the water is between 20°C and 28°C.
What marine life can you see diving in Osprey Reef?
Divers can encounter 42 species in Osprey Reef. Highlights include Giant Trevally, Grey Reef Shark, Humphead Wrasse, Potato Grouper, Silvertip Shark, and Tiger Shark.
When can you see the Tiger Shark in Osprey Reef?
The Tiger Shark is most often seen in Osprey Reef from May to September.
When can you see the Whale Shark in Osprey Reef?
The Whale Shark is most often seen in Osprey Reef from May to August.
When can you see the Giant Trevally in Osprey Reef?
The Giant Trevally can be seen in Osprey Reef all year round.
What is the water temperature in Osprey Reef?
Water temperature in Osprey Reef ranges from 20°C in July to 29°C in January.
What wetsuit do I need to dive in Osprey Reef?
Most divers wear a 7 mm wetsuit in July, when the water drops to 20°C, and a rash guard or a 1–3 mm shorty in January, when it reaches 29°C.
What is the visibility like when diving in Osprey Reef?
Visibility in Osprey Reef ranges from 9 m to 40 m. The water is clearest from August to November.
What are the currents like in Osprey Reef?
Divers in Osprey Reef can expect strong, very strong, or moderate currents, depending on the month and the dive site.
What can you see on a night dive in Osprey Reef?
After dark, Osprey Reef reveals nocturnal species such as Whitetip Reef Shark, Giant Moray, Lionfish, Oriental Sweetlips, Painted Spiny Lobster, and Spot-fin Porcupinefish.
Where is Osprey Reef located?
Osprey Reef is a dive destination in Australia, in the Coral Sea.
Every answer is built from the conditions and sightings data we keep for Osprey Reef. Spotted something that looks off?
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